Studies have shown that some small businesses that were hit by an attack are unable to recover from it. That is how destructive cybercrime is. And it is only going to increase in the future.
You might think that cybersecurity is not your responsibility and that your IT team should be the one taking care of it. But as a digital marketer, you are no less responsible for protecting the privacy and data of your brand or company.
Since digital marketing not only deals with your company’s data but your customers’ information as well, marketers have to be very cautious when it comes to implementing campaigns. Here are the common areas that need special attention in terms of online security.
1. Email
Email marketing might seem old school, but it is still one of the most effective ways to promote a business. It has one of the highest ROIs in digital marketing, and it can help increase website traffic and conversion rate.
Unfortunately, emails are also known to be the favorite delivery method of malware. More than 90% of attacks come from emails. Hackers often take advantage of emails to find their next target using phishing tactics.
2. WordPress
It might seem strange to see WordPress on this list. But if you follow cybersecurity news, you’ll understand that WordPress is one of the most heavily-targeted CMS platforms. Hackers often target the platform’s vulnerabilities to initiate the attack. Other cybercriminals exploit the vulnerabilities of the popular plug-ins used with WordPress.
3. Social Media
Billions of people are on social media right now, making it one of the most effective digital marketing avenues. Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and WhatsApp are teeming with users from all age brackets. But with great opportunity comes great danger.
Educating your marketing team about the dangers of unsolicited social media messages, especially those containing links. Just as hackers use emails to trick you into sharing sensitive information, they can also use Facebook and other social media platforms to attack your system.
4. CRM Software
CRM software is an integral part of digital marketing because this is where you usually store the data collected from your customers. Aside from storing data, CRM software is also used to analyse the collected data and use it to draft a marketing strategy for your business.
Imagine what would happen if hackers gain access to your CRM software. They will have access to those sensitive data and use it for criminal activities. Not only will you lose money from this breach, you might also lose your brand’s reputation.
Summary
The fundamental point here is that cybersecurity cannot be ignored by digital marketers just because it is not included in their job description. Everyone has to be responsible for it — from the management to the staff. A cyberattack does not only put your data at risk, all customers and businesses who work with you will be compromised as well.
Creating a solid cybersecurity strategy should be included in every marketing strategy. The areas above should get special attention because those are the gateways often used by attackers. By addressing these concerns, you can finally promote your brand without having to worry about your online security.
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